OUR LADY OF VICTORY / ST. JOSEPH

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

RESTORATIONPROJECT GUIDE

1868-2018Sesquicentennial Anniversary

210 Pleasant Street, Rochester, New York 14604www.olvsj.org

Dear Friends,

The Church of Our Lady of Victory was built on Pleasant Street in the new Diocese of Rochester, the Diocese having been created by Blessed Pope Pius IX, the longest reigning Pope thus far in the Catholic Church’s long history. Coming as it did from the old Ely Street Church of St. Mary’s (long since gone), our lovely church was built by Monsignor DeRegge under the first Bishop of this Diocese, who himself was sent here by Pope Pius IX. The church was built in 1868, making it the first church established in the Diocese. It was ‘dedicated’ by Bishop McQuaid that same year. It has never been consecrated (a term no longer used; the canonical term now in use is the dedication of a church). Now a Rochester landmark, by architect Andrew Jackson Warner, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. You will find that our edifice has been lovingly restored wherever possible at the liberality of some very dedicated and most generous parishioners who have decided to remain anonymous. The company chosen for the artistic and restoration work is Granda, a Spanish firm known worldwide and highly respected. There are several other firms that have worked on various facets of the restoration, including lighting, organ, windows, floors, pews and the like. SWBR of Rochester has been the architectural firm under the direction of Mr. Ryan Zegarelli. I must thank first of all our Bishop, Salvatore R. Matano, who has lent his support to me and who approved this project of restoration at its inception. I thank all of the artists, artisans, and other carpenters, etc (listed on the back page) for their dedication, their obvious skills and crafts, their very hard and exacting work. God bless them all. And God bless the most generous donors without whom none of this would have or could have happened. May I take a moment to brag: THIS is how a church SHOULD look! May Our Lady of Victory and her pure Spouse, St. Joseph, smile upon and protect us, their devoted children.

Fr. Ronald A. Antinarelli, KCHSPastor

A LETTER FROM THE PASTOR

BEAUTY IS IMPORTANT

The Vatican II document Sacrosanctum Concilium asserts “Very rightly the fine arts are considered to rank among the noblest activities of man’s genius, and this applies especially to religious art and to its highest achievement, which is sacred art…turning men’s minds devoutly toward God.” The church building and its art reveal the dignity and reality of the liturgy itself, the transfiguration of earthly things into heavenly realities. Beauty makes the Truth of Christ in the liturgy attractive, drawing people toward it, inviting them to engage in it, be transformed by it, and in turn transform the world.1

ARCHITECTURE IS SIGNIFICANT

Church architecture affects the way that man worships; the way he worships affects what he believes; and what he believes affects not only his personal relationship with God but how he conducts himself in his daily life.2 Therefore, what we build as a house of God should reflect what we believe about God. Throughout the history of the Church, a critical role of the church building has been its evocation of the heavenly Jerusalem. As John sees in his vision from the Book of Revelation, the new Jerusalem is prepared as a bride for her husband, meaning it is adorned, festive, and intended for union with God.1

THE FUTURE MATTERS

Our Lady of Victory Church has been serving the people of Rochester for over 150 years. This restoration project is an investment that will benefit future generations for the next 150 years by providing a holy, sacred, and beautiful space worthy of the title Domus Dei or House of God. Catholics and non-Catholics alike can be positively affected by things that are good, true, and beautiful. The permanence of our church structures reflects the qualities of the Catholic Church itself, enduring and permanent, transcending space and time.2 As Peter is told by Jesus in Matthew 16:18 “…And I tell you, you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Throughout history, Catholic churches have been built to last; that is until the end of time.

PASTORFr. Ronald A. Antinarelli, KCHS

CONTACTPhone: (585) 454-2244

Email Address: olvsj@frontiernet.netWebsite: www.olvsj.org

WEEKEND MASSES

Sat 4:30 PM, Sun 9:00 AM & 11:00 AM

WEEKDAY MASSESMon-Wed & Fri-Sat 12:10 PM

NOVENA DEVOTIONS Tues 12:00 PM – St. Anthony

Wed 11:50 AM – Our Lady of Perpetual HelpFri 12:00 PM – St. Jude

CONFESSIONSMon-Wed & Fri-Sat 11:30 AM

and by Appointment

BAPTISMS By Appointment

A special thanks to all ofthose who helped make this project a reality;

A.R. Pierrepont Co., Inc.Baumer Mechanical Design Services, Inc.

Boulter Industrial Contractors, Inc.E.G. Sackett Co., Inc.

Frank J. Marianacci, Inc.Granda

Green Grove Design, LLC Isaac HVACR Commercial & Industrial Services

Keyboard RepairLu Engineers

Parsons Pipe Organ BuildersPaul Kimmerly

Pike Stained Glass Studios, Inc.Residential Railing & Fence Company

Richard Hanss Electrical Contractors, Inc.Rochester Colonial Mfg. Corp.

SafespanSWBR Architects

Woerner Industries, Inc.

CreditsFront Cover Photo: Rochester Churches, dorchurches.com

1 Catholic Church Architecture and the Spirit of the Liturgy by Denis R. McNamara 2 Ugly as Sin by Michael S. Rose

This is None Other than the House of God and Gate of Heaven!

1 SANCTUARY

The paint scheme in the apse, or semicircular back wall, is loosely based on the original design with a faux architectural motif as a backdrop. The mural itself represents the church triumphant with saints from different backgrounds; clergy, religious, and laypeople each with some connection to the parish known for many years as The Little French Church. The left side features:

St. Joan of ArcBorn in 1412 and died in 1431Fought in battles against England to re-establish a French king in France Died as a martyr Co-patroness of France

Blessed Pius IXBorn in 1792 and died in 1878 Longest reigning pope Convened the First Vatican CouncilDefined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception Declared the marian title of Our Mother of Perpetual HelpFormed the Diocese of Rochester in 1868

St. Dominic Born in 1170 and died in 1221Founder of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans) in FranceSpread the devotion of the Rosary

St. Bernadette SoubirousBorn in 1844 and died in 1879Mary appeared to her 18 times between February 11th and July 16th 1858 in Lourdes, France under the title of theImmaculate ConceptionA Lady of Lourdes grotto was built into the gospel side altar where it remained for many years

The right side features:

St. Thérèse of Liseux Born in 1873 and died in 1897Carmelite nun in FranceKnown for her “Little Way” to holinessA side shrine once existed in the back of the church in her honor

St. Louis IXBorn in 1214 and died in 1270King of FranceLay Franciscan who led two crusadesBuilt Sainte Chapelle as a large reliquary to house relics of the Passion, including the Crown of Thorns

St. Pius VBorn in 1504 and died in 1572Pope during the Battle of LepantoDeclared the Feast of Our Lady of Victory on October 7th

St. Catherine of Siena Born in 1347 and died in 1380Lay DominicanInstrumental in bringing the papacy back to Rome from France

In the dome, a group of twelve sheep converge toward a spring situated behind the crucifix, combining ancient iconographic motifs; the twelve apostles, the church drinking from Christ, the spring of living water. Adoring angels grace the clouds above.

PulpitA new wood pulpit with gilded detailing displays four Evangelist reliefs on each side. It was relocated to the sanctuary where those who are reading can be more easily seen as well as heard via an upgraded sound system.

Altar RailingSince 1868 various altar rail designs and layouts defined the sanctuary. The current placement installed in 2018 takes inspiration from the previous designs and mimics the barrel vaulting of the ceiling with its gilded wood round arches.

Sanctuary Platform & AltarPost Vatican II, a freestanding altar was added to the sanctuary, overcrowding the first step up from the nave. This required removal of the altar rail. In 2018 the upper platform was extended out in order to retain the altar rail as well as bring a new altar back up three steps where it can be easily seen by the people. The freestanding gilded wood altar can be moved out of the sanctuary for ad orientem (toward the east) liturgies in which the priest and the people face the same direction.

FurnitureThe seating and credence table designs are based on historic photos of the original Gothic Revivial designs by well-known architect Augustus Welby Pugin.

FlooringRed and cream-colored Spanish marble define the sanctuary. Solid frames of Alicante Red marble create a border for the checkered ‘rugs’ that define each space. Crema Marfil marble is used on the risers of the steps. An accent of Indian Green marble marks the priest’s location at the main altar during the consecration. Engraved and gilded lettering on the three steps reads Sanctus Sanctus Sanctus or Holy Holy Holy; recalling the heavenly song in Revelation 4:8.

SkylightA polychromed stained glass lite replaces the previously nondescript glass unit. The scene depicts the Holy Spirit as a dove surrounded by radiant bands of yellow and orange glass similar to the design used in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

2 MAIN ALTARPIECE

The main altarpiece was designed in an eclectic style in 1871 by Benedict C. Further. After decades of slight modifications, subtractions, and layers of paint, the design is now restored to reveal the beautiful mahogany with gilded accents.

FLOOR PLAN

TabernacleThe cedar interior was replaced with a gold-plated design as well as a casting of two angels with text that reads Adoro Te Devote or Devoutly I Adore Thee, from a eucharistic hymn written by St. Thomas Aquinas.

Our Lady of Victory StatueThe restored statue is a plaster casting circa 1868, possibly of Parisian origin. Its painted decoration accurately reflects the original icon of Our Lady of Victory. Jesus and Mary are adorned with gold-plated and jeweled crowns designed by Granda. Hand-carved angel statues reverence the Mother and Child.

3 SIDE ALTARS

The original Gospel side altar was removed in the early 20th century and a Lady of Lourdes grotto stood in its place. It was rebuilt circa 1965 by an unknown designer and was fully restored by Granda in 2018. The Sacred Heart statue by Daprato Statuary Co. dates to 1912 and was recolored by Granda as well. The Epistle side altar was designed in an eclectic style in 1871 by Benedict C. Further. It was fully restored and features a painted plaster cast St. Joseph with Child statue, also by Daprato Statuary Co. circa 1912 and recolored by Granda.

4 NAVE

Stained GlassThe original Gothic Revival windows circa 1868 remain to present day having endured only minor repairs over their 150-year history.

FlooringLettering at the entrance to the nave reads Non Est Hic Aliud Nisi Domus Dei Et Porta Caeli or This Is None Other Than The House Of God and Gate Of Heaven recalling Genesis 28:17. Accent porcelain and marble tile ‘rugs’ define the Via Sacra.

PewsSolid oak pews were fabricated in Rochester with custom pew ends that take design cues from the main altarpiece.

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Paint SchemeThe tri-color wall and ceiling paint scheme is an artistic interpretation of the historic schemes. Plaster trims have been restored and complimented by gilded fluted pilasters, capitals, and hanging finials.

LightingLED lights throughout the church provide general illumination as well as spotlights for artwork. The nave chandeliers’ glass & metal was restored and the fixtures were retrofitted with LED components. New historically designed pendants light the choir loft and spaces below.

Stations of the CrossThe paintings were done in the Flemish Gothic Revival style circa 1926 and are copies of Louis Hendrix and Franz Vinck. In 2018 they were restored, bringing back their intense color and background scenes that were previously hidden by smoke damage. Wooden crosses with Roman numerals were added above each frame.

OrganThe pipe organ was built by the Tellers Organ Company of Erie, PA with the service of dedication in April of 1953. It consists of three divisions, swell, great and pedal with nine independent voices. A new set of chimes was added in 2018. There are 39 façade pipes that have been painted and stenciled to complement the restored interior. The pattern and colors are in keeping with the style for this vintage organ.

5 SHRINE

A new St. Anthony statue sits in a niche atop a newly designed gilded wood base and features marble flooring to match the sanctuary.

6 BAPTISTRY

As part of the restoration project, the baptistry was relocated to its original position in the church. Previously blocked stained-glass windows now bring light in through the baptistry and into the nave. A Virgin with Child statue features a restored paint scheme and sits on a newly designed gilded wood base.

ReliefA new bronze relief depicts a scene from Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River.

GateA wrought-iron gate with Chi Rho (XP) symbol takes design cues from the high altar. The Chi Rho is one of the earliest Christian symbols dating back to the 300’s AD formed by superimposing the first two letters, X and P, of the word Christos in Greek.

Font Late 19th century cast iron font was restored and painted to match the bronze relief.

AmbryGranda designed a wood ambry, a cabinet for storing sacred oils, with gilded detailing specifically for the new space.

7 CONFESSIONALS

Relocated to either side of the nave, the wheelchair-accessible confessionals are naturally lit by a simple stained-glass window that was previously boarded over. New beatuifully detailed wood door frontals match the detailing elsewhere in the church.

8 ICON

Our Lady of Perpetual HelpThis icon hanging in the west niche was miraculously untouched in the fire of 1974 that destroyed St. Joseph’s church just down the road. The painting and frame were fully restored by Granda.

CA 1896 CA 1926CA 1912 CA 2000